265—88 INDIAN TERTIARY AND POST-TERTIARY VERTEBRATA. 
is wanting, and the crown almost unworn. In the following table the dimensions 
of this specimen are compared with the corresponding dimensions of three crania 
of the jackal ( 0. aureus) in the writer’s collection, one of which [a) was 
obtained from the Punjab, while the other two came from Kashmir: — 
C. aureus. Siwalik jaw. C. aureus. 
Length of pm. 3 0*39 
,,,,,, 4 .... 0-64 
,, ,, m. 1 . . . . 0-48 
Width ,,,,,, . . . . 0-58 
These dimensions show that the size of the fossil is practically the same as that 
of the middle individual of C. aureus. The teeth of the two agree precisely in every 
detail — notably in the large size of the external cingulum ; — and if both were found 
in the fossil state would be unhesitatingly referred to the same species. The 
materials at hand are not sufficient to say positively whether the Siwalik and living 
forms were specifically the same ; but there can be no question that they were 
extremely closely allied, and that the former was as much a true jackal as the latter* 
Family III. : VIVE REID 2E. 
Relationships. — At the present time the family Viverridce embraces a large number 
of seluroid Carnivora, exhibiting affinities to at least two other families. Thus it is 
related by Herpestes with Proteles, and so with Hyaena ; while by Genetta it is more 
intimately connected with Felis. In former times there are strong indications that its 
connections were even wider ; since, as has been mentioned above, it is highly 
probable that its connection through Cynodictis and its allies with the true dogs is so 
intimate as to preclude the drawing of any well-marked line between the dogs and 
viverrines. On the other hand, the typical forms of the family are intimately 
connected through Ictitherium with Hyaena ; while in another direction there seems to 
be a complete passage from Viverra through certain genera from Quercy known as 
Stenoplesictis and Palceoprionodon to Procelurus and Pseudaelurus, and so to 'the 
modern cats. 1 For the present, however, the family may be retained even for 
palaeontological purposes ; although it is highly probable that it cannot be strictly 
defined. 
Rental characters of Viverrine sub-family . — Before proceeding to the description 
of the Siwalik forms which can be referred to the present family, it will facilitate 
their description if it is first pointed out how the existing genera of the group to 
which they belong can be distinguished in respect of characters ■ observ- 
able in the fossil forms. According to Professor Mivart, 2 the existing members 
of the family may be divided into five sub-families : — viz. Viverrince , Galidictince , 
Euplerince , Gryptoproctince , and Herpemnce ; but attention need only be directed to the 
first. That sub-family is again divided into the viverrine, paradoxurine, and 
1 See Filhol, “Memoires sur quelques Mammiferes Fossiles des Phosphorites du Quercy,” pp. 88-90. 
2 “ Pro. Zool. Soc.’ ” 4882, p. 135, el scq. ' 
0*52 
0-62 
0-68 
0-51 
0-62 
0-54 
0-63 
